A Riparian Forest Buffer Is an Area of Trees And/Or Shrubs Located Adjacent to Streams

April 2002

Definition

A riparian forest buffer is an area of trees and/or shrubs located adjacent to streams, lakes, ponds, and wetlands. The purpose of a riparian buffer is to reduce excess amounts of sediment, nutrients, pesticides, and other materials in surface runoff and to reduce nutrients and other pollutants in shallow subsurface water flow.

Benefits

The woody vegetation in buffers provides food and cover for wildlife, creates shade which lowers the

temperature of the water, and slows shoreline erosion. The vegetation closest to the waterbody also provides

litter fall and large woody debris, which are important to aquatic organisms. Wildlife benefits are increased when riparian forest buffers connect adjacent forest land.

Site Preparation

Site preparation should be done at a time and manner that ensures survival and growth of the selected species. Types of acceptable site preparation may include mowing, disking, subsoiling, prescribed burning, and/or herbicide application.

Species Selection

Select native species that are adapted to the site. Hardwood species should be the predominant species in riparian buffers where wildlife is a primary objective. Seventy-five percent of the hardwood species should be oak species. A pine component of up to 20 percent may be included in the buffer. Select species that have multiple values such as those suited for timber, biomass, nuts, fruit, browse, nesting, aesthetics, and tolerance to locally used herbicides. Where water quality is the primary objective, up to 50 percent of the buffer may be planted to pine species if the soils are suitable for growing pine.

WOODY VEGETATION SUITABLE FOR RIPARIAN FOREST BUFFERS

Species adapted to entire state:

American beech Fagus grandifolia

American hornbeam Carpinus caroliniana

Ash, Carolina* Fraxinus caroliniana

Ash, white Fraxinus americana

Ash, green* Fraxinus americana Var.subintegerrima

Birch Betula nigra

Blackgum Nyssa sylvatica

Box elder Acer negundo

Eastern cottonwood Populus deltoides

Elm, American Ulmus americana

Elm,winged Ulmus alata

Hickory, bitternut Carya cordiformis

Hickory, mockernut Carya tomentosa

Hickory, pignut Carya glabra

Holly, American Ilex opaca

Magnolia Magnolia grandiflora

Maple, red Acer rubrum

Oak, water Quercus nigra

Oak, willow* Quercus phellos

Oak, southern red Quercus falcata

Oak, swamp chestnut Qurecus michauxii

Oak, white Quercus alba

Oak, overcup* Quercus lyrata

Pine, loblolly Pinus taeda

Pine, shortleaf Pinus echinata

Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua

Sweetbay* Magnolia virginiana

Sycamore Platanus occidentalis

Additional tree specles adapted to the Southern Piedmont and northward:

Hickory, shagbark Carya ovata

Oak, northern red Quercus rubra

Oak, swamp white* Quercus bicolor

Pine, Virginia Pinus virginiana

Pine, white Pinus strobus

Poplar, tulip Liriondendron tulipefera

Rhodendendron Rhododendron maximum

Additional tree species adapted to the Sand Hills and southward:

Baldcypress* Taxodium distichum

Catalpa Catalpa bignonioides

Hickory, water* Carya aquatica

Maple, Florida sugar Acer floridanum

Oak, live Quercus virginiana

Oak, laurel Quercus laurifolia

Oak, shumard Quercus shumardii

Pecan Carya illinoensis

Pine, slash Pinus elliottii

Sweet bay* Magnolia virginiana

Tupelo, water* Nyssa aquatica

Tupelo, ogeechee* Nyssa ogeche

Tupelo, swamp* Nyssa sylvatica and var biflora

Shrubs and small trees adapted to the entire state:

Alder Alnus serrulata

Amorpha Amorpha fruticosa

Buttonbush* Cephalanthus occidentalis

Chokeberry, red Aronia arbutifolia

Dogwood, flowering Cornus florida

Dogwood, swamp* Cornus sp

Hawthorn Crataegus sp

Hophornbeam Ostrya virginiana

Privet Ligustrum sp

Sugarbery Celtis laevigata

Swamp haw* Viburnum nudum

Willow, black* Salix nigra

Shrubs and small trees adapted to the Southern Piedmont and northward:

Dogwood, silky* Cornus amomum

Dogwood, red osier Cornus stolonifera

Dogwood,swamp Cornus stricta

Elderberry Sambucus canadensis

Winterberry Ilex verticillata

Shrubs and small trees adapted to the Sand Hills and southward:

Azalea, coastal Rhododendron atlanticum

Azalea, swamp* Rhododendron viscosum

Bay, red Persea borbonia

Gallberry,bitter Ilex glabra

Dogwood, stiffconel Cornus foemina

Fetterbush* Lyonia lucida

Groundsel bush Baccharis halimifolia

Holly Ilex myrtifolia

Leucothoe* Leucothoe axillaris

Leucothoe, sweetbells Leucothoe racemosa

Possumhaw Ilex decidua

Southern wax myrtle Myrica cerifera

Sweetspire, Virginia Itea virginica

Sweet pepperbush* Clethra alnifolia

Sweet gallberry* Ilex coriacea

Ti ti, black Cliftonia monophylla

Ti ti, American cyrilla* Cyrilla racemiflora

· species adapted to very wet conditions

Specifications

Site-specific requirements are listed on the specifications sheet. Additional provisions are entered on the job sketch sheet. Specifications are prepared in accordance with the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide. See practice standard Riparian Forest Buffer code 391.